Combined electrical indicator and note receptacle for doors



Jan. 13, 1948. w. E. STANFIELD 2,434,442

COMBINED ELECTRICAL INDICATOR AND NOTE RECEPTACLE FOR DOORS Filed Aug. 6, 1946 2 Sheets$heet l INVENTOR.

WAYNE E.STANF\E| D m wr m AT TORN EYS Jan, 1 1948. w. E. STANFIELD 2,434,442

COMBINED ELECTRICAL INDICATOR AND NOTE RECEPTACLE FOR DOORS Filed Aug. 6, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JJwm E000 X NN N Q M mNN INVENTOR.

WAYNE E. STANFIELD BY EYS ATTO Z Z Patented Jan. 13, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT "OF-F I CE 2,434,442 coMe mEn ijLfioTmc INDICATOR 'AND NOTE RECEPTACLE FOR noons Wayne nstanfiia, Oakland, Calif.

Application August 6, 1946, Serial No. 688,743

- 4- Claims. (chm-334) The present invention relates to improvements in a combined electrical indicator'and note receptacle for doors. It consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangement of 'parts hereinafter described and claimed. I I I An object of my invention is to provide an electrical indicator, which may be set manually by the occupants of a house, in such a manner as to indicate to a caller the presence or absence of the occupants when the caller actuates the-"push button of a door bell. I

A further object resides in the provision of a "signal that will be illuminated-eachtime the push button is actuated, thus indicating thatth'e circuits are functioning and serving to attract the attention of a person in the house. I

It is further pro-posed in this invention to'pr'ovide a housing that is arranged to accommodate wires of the electrical circuits, the housin also being designed as areceptacle for'a note deposited by the caller.

More specifically described, I propose to mount a plate on the exterior surface of a wall'orthe like. This plate is provided with a pair of win- 'doWs, one window having the word In displayed therein and the other being provided withthe word Out. An electrical bulb is arranged in each window. When the caller actuate's the'door tions that may be readily adjusted so that end plates of the housing may be mounted flush with the exterior and interior walls, respectively, of the wall or the like in which the device is mount- "e'd. Although I mention the term WalllfI'it is obvious that my device may be installed in a door.

It is still further proposed to connect door bell into one of the circuits so that bell will be sounded only when the In bulb is illuminated, thus serving to render the bell inoperative when the device is set to indicate that the occupants are not at home. I I

I Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues, and the novel features particularly will be set forth in the claims hereunto appended. I I II II II For a better understanding of my invention,

reference should be had to'the accompanying "drawings, formingpart of this application'in which: I I I Figure '1 is 'a front elevation of my combined electrical indicator "and note receptacle for "a door;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken along the line IIII of Figure 1;

'Figure3 is an'end elevation of the'manuallyoperated switch, as seen from the line III'II I of Figure 2, the 'switch'being set to indicate that the occupants are in;

Figure 4 is a view similar toF-igure 3, but with the switch arranged to indicate that the'occupantsare but;

'Figurefi is a top plan view of FigureZWith the interiorplate' or doormoved into open position;

Figure 6 is "a vertical section taken through the manually-operated switch per se, the sec;-

tion being taken along the line VIVI of 'Figure 5; I II I I I I Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the interior plate 'or compartment'cover; and I I Figure 8 is a wiring diagram illustrating the various electrical circuits.

While I have shown only the preferrd' f or'mof my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made With- 'i n the scope of the annexed claims withoutdeterior plate or cover C hingedtherew, as at T4.

{Ihese t wo housing section's coact with the plates 'A'and C in providing a compartment D I,

In order to allow the plates A and C to be disp'oseanush with the exterior and interior surfaces 5 and 6, respectively, of Walls or doors, the

housing sections may be adjusted relative to one another. A slot 1 is fashioned in one housing section and a clamping bolt 6 is anchored tow the *other section, and thus the two sections are held in adjusted position. It will be understood, of course, that the Wall or the like is suitably aper tured to permit the housing sections to pass therethrough. I I I ,I I I I II I I Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that a spring-pressed detent 9 is secured to the interior or cover plate C. This detent engages with a ledge ii) on the housing section 3 for yieldingly retaining the cover plate closed. Access may be had to the compartment D by opening the cover, as suggested in Figure of the drawings.

The exterior plate'A has a pair of Windows mounted therein, which are designated generally at E and F. The window E has the word In displayed therein, while the Window F is provided with the word Out (see Figure 1). Electrical bulbs H and I2 are disposed in back of the windows E and F, respectively, When the bulb are illuminated in the manner hereinafter set forth, they will attract attention of a caller and will render the words clearly readable. A push button G is supported by the exterior plate A and is adapted to be actuated by the caller.

Turning now to the interior plate or cover C, it will be noted that a manually-actuated selector switch, indicated generally at H, is carried by this plate. Figures 2 and 5 disclose a switch housing I3, which is secured to the plate C by clamping nuts I4. A block of insulating material i5 is retained in this switch housin by bentdown ears Hi. The block carries two terminals I! and I8, which have been further designated by the words In and Out, respectively, in Figures 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

As the specification proceeds, it will be made clear that the In terminal I! controls an electrical circuit that includes the In bulb While the Out terminal I8 is' arranged in a circuit controlling the Out bulb I2.

The switch housing l3 has a light socket 59 mounted therein for limited turning movement. A block of insulating material 2|! is suitably clamped at one end thereof, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, and this block has a switch arm 2| secured thereto by a centrally-disposed threaded pin 22 and clamping nuts 23. The switch arm 2| is insulated from the socket |9.

A signal light bulb 24 is mounted in the socket I9 and has the central terminal thereof arranged in contact with the pin 22, While the outside metallic terminal of the bulb abuts the interior of the socket,

In Figures 2, 5, 6 and '7, I show a transparent knob 25, which is fastened to the outer end of the light socket I9 by a set screw 26 and key 21. This knob is made of suitable material so as to allow light to pass therethrough when the bulb 26 is illuminated. The knob is formed with -a pointer 28 that registers with the word In displayed on the cover plate C when the terminal 2m of the switch arm contacts with the In terminal I! (see Figure 3). Upon turning the knob 25 until its pointer registers with the word Out on the cover plate, the terminal 2|B of the switch arm will contact with the "Out terminal I8 (see Figure 4).

It will be understood that when the terminals I1 and 2|a are arranged in contact with each other, the terminals 8 and 2| b are out of contact and vice versa. This is due to the fact that the terminals l1 and I8 are arranged in angular relation with one another, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 8.

The block of insulation 20 is notched out to define shoulders 29 and 3|), which coact with a stop 3| projecting from the switch housing It. When the shoulder 29 abuts the stop 3|, the terminals H and 2|a are in contact (see Figure 3). When the shoulder 30 engages the stop 3!, the terminals l8 and 2|B are in engagement (see Figure 4).

Referring now to Figure 8, it will be noted that I provide a step-down transformer J having the terminals 32 of its primary coil connected to a source of suitable current, such as volts A. C. One terminal 33 leading from the secondary coil is connected by a wire 34 to a contact 35 forming part of the push button G. The other terminal 36 of the push button is connected through a wire 31 to the pin 22. Accordingly, whenever the push button is pressed by a caller, electricity will flow from the transformer J to the signal light bulb 24. This bulb has its meta'lic rim 24a contacting the socket 9, and the latter is grounded through the switch housing l3, door C and housing section 3 to a return wire 38 (see Figure 2), which leads back to the other terminal 39 of the transformer secondary coil. Thus the signal light bulb is illuminated each time the push button is actuated and likewise current will flow to the switch arm 2|.

When the terminal 2|a is engaged with the In terminal IT, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, current will flow from the switch arm 2| and over a wire 38a to the central terminal of the In" bulb The metallic rim ||a of this bulb is grounded through the housing sections 2 and 3 to the return wire 38 (see Figure 2). This will result in flashing on the bulb II and making the word In readable in the window E when the push button G is actuated.

Upon moving the switch arm 2| until its terminal 2| 1) contacts with the Out terminal |8 (see Figure 4), and the push button is actuated, current will flow from the transformer J to the pin 22, causing the signal lamp bulb 24 to be illuminated. At the same time, current will flow over a wire ii! to the central terminal of the Out" bulb l2. The metallic rim |2a of this bulb is grounded through the housing sections 2 and 3 to the return wire 38. Accordingly, the bulb i2 will illuminate the window F and render the Word "Out clearly readable when the push button is actuated.

In Figure 8, I show a door bell K having one of its termina's connected by a Wire All to the In switch IT. The other terminal of the bell is connected to the return wire 38 leading back to the transformer terminal 39. Therefore, the bell will be sounded each time the "In window E is illuminated. It should be noted that when the selector switch H is set to indicate Out, the door bell will not ring upon actuating the push button G. This is due to the fact that separation of the In terminal I! and the switch arm terminal 2|a renders the bell circuit inoperative.

Figures 1 and 2 disclose a note-receiving slot 42, which allows a note 43 to be inserted by the caller into the compartment D. The legend Notes has been placed adjacent to the slot (see Figure 1). Upon opening the cover plate 0, the note may be withdrawn from the room-side of the wall or the like B. A partition 44 may be provided for guiding the incoming note away from the push button G and the windows E and F. An inclined top Ma of the partition causes the note to gravitate toward the door C.

In order to enhance the general appearance of the indicator and to identify the occupants of the house, I have provided a name plate L. The latter is suspended from the exterior plate A by chains 35.

Having thus described the various structural features of my device, the operation thereof may be briefly summarized as follows:

Assuming that the occupants of the house are at home and desire to receive callers, the selector switch H is set with its pointer 28 opposite the word In on the interior plate, C. When a call actuates the push button G, the window E will be illuminated, attracting the attention of the caller, and clearly displaying the word In. At the same time, the signal light 24 will be illuminated, which serves to attract attention of a person in the room B. Likewise, the bell K will ring, which will attract attention of a person in another part of the house.

In the event that the occupants are going out, or do not wish to receive callers, the selector switch pointer 28 is set to indicate Out. Therefore, when the caller actuates the push button, the window B will light up, making the word Out readable by the caller. Simultaneously, the signal bulb 24 will be illuminated and will indicate to a person that happens to be in th room B that a caller is at the door. The door bell K will not sound at this time. The caller may deposit a note in the compartment D, if he so desires.

I claim:

1. In an electrical indicator for a door; a plate arranged on the exterior surface of a wall or the like; a pair of windows mounted in said plate, one window having the word In displayed therein and the other being provided with the word Out; an electrical bulb disposed in back of each window for illuminating the latter to attract attention and render the word readable; a push button supported on said plate; an interior plate arranged on a room-side of the wall or the like; a selector switch carried by the interior plate and having two positions; an electrical circuit including the push button and the In bulb and designed to be closed when the selector switch is moved into one position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word In is readable; and a second electrical circuit including the push button and the Out bulb and arranged to be closed when the selector switch is moved into its other position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word "Out is readable.

2. In an electrical indicator for a door; a plate arranged on the exterior surface of a wall or the like; a pair of windows mounted in said plate, one window having the word In displayed therein and the other being provided with the word Out; an electrical bulb disposed in back of each window for illuminating the latter to attract attention and render the words readable; a push button supported on said plate; an interior plate arranged on a room-side of the wall or the like; a selector switch carried by the interior plate and having two positions; an electrical circuit including the push button and the In bulb and designed to be closed when the selector switch is moved into one position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word In is readable; a second electric circuit including the push button and the Out bulb and arranged to be closed when the selector switch is moved into its other position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word "Out is readable; and a signal light mounted on the interior plate and connected in both of said circuits so as to be illuminated each time the push button is actuated, thus indicating that the circuits are functioning and serving to attract attention of a person in the room.

3. In an electrical indicator for a door; a plate arranged on the exterior surface of a Wall or the like; a pair of windows mounted in said plate, one window having the word In displayed therein and the other being provided with the word Out; an electrical bulb disposed in back of each window for illuminating the latter to attract attention and render the words readable; a push button supported on said plate; an in terior plate arranged on a room-side of the wall or the like; a selector switch carried by the interior plate and having two positions; an electrical circuit including the push button and the In bulb and designed to be closed when the selector switch is moved into one position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word In is readable; a second electrical circuit including the push button and the Out bulb and arranged to be closed when the selector switch is moved into its other position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word Out is read able; and a housing extending between the exterior and interior plates to accommodate wires of the electrical circuits.

4. In an electrical indicator for a door; a plate arranged on the exterior surface of a wall or the like; a pair of windows mounted in said plate, one window having the word In displayed therein and the other being provided with the word Out; an electrical bulb disposed in back of each window for illuminating the latter to attract attention and render the words readable; a push button supported on said plate; an interior plate arranged on a room-side of the wall or the like; a selector switch carried by the interior plate and having two positions; an electrical circuit including the push button and the In bulb and designed to be closed when the selector switch is moved into one position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word In is readable; and a second electrical circuit including the push button and the Out bulb and arranged to be closed when the selector switch is moved into its other position and the push button is actuated, whereby the word Out is readable; a housing between the plates to accommodate circuit wires, the housing including telescoping sections, whereby the plates may be disposed on the exterior and interior surfaces, respectively, of walls or the like of various thicknesses.

WAYNE E. STANFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 457,454 McCann et al Aug. 11, 1891 647,071 Boardman Apr. 10, 1902 1,070,387 Baldwin et a1. Aug, 19, 1913 861,290 Koons July 30, 1907 1,298,345 Johnson Mar. 25, 1919 

